Wm S.
Guide
GuideLost Lake Campground
Long drive beautiful lake
The drive takes longer than you might think unsaved and twisty road. Lake is very nice and hiking trails all atound
Camping near Paonia, CO
257 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Summer camping around Paonia sits at a lower elevation than most western Colorado mountain towns, which means longer access windows and less risk of snow closures cutting a trip short. The North Fork Valley here borders Grand Mesa National Forest, putting dispersed camping within a short drive of town while still leaving room for developed sites in the valley floor with hookups or water on-site. Paonia is a small agricultural town with fruit orchards and wineries, giving the surrounding camping a different character than the ski-resort and national park corridors farther east.
Road access varies: paved routes handle most vehicles, but national forest roads above town require high clearance in sections, particularly after rain when dirt clay softens. The camping season here runs longer at lower elevations, with valley-floor sites accessible well into November most years. Cell service gets thin once you're on the forest roads above town.
Best Campgrounds near Paonia (257)
1. South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
"The South Rim Campground is similar to other national park campground in that it provides convenient access to park activities and trails, but it stands apart due to the fact that the camping fees are"
"Most of the outer sites are tucked into the forest so there is a decent level of privacy. Lots of deer frequent the area, we saw several on each trip."
from $20 - $34 / night
Check Availability2. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping
"Great location right next to the park! There are plenty of sites and the views are beautiful. Entrance was slightly rutted so make sure you can off-road just a bit!"
"A few minutes outside the south gate of the park. Multiple sites, most of which are on dirt. Paths to and from can be a bit rough for most passenger vehicles. But it’s quite and close to the park."
3. Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park
"Great view of the lake but the lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view. I have Verizon I had 2 to 3 bars & could stream Pandora."
"Many vineyards close by. Joe Cocker (rock singer) had a ranch nearby."
from $36 / night
Check Availability4. BLM Cottonwood Grove Campground
"This campground is a gem as other reviewers have cited, BUT the road in is dangerous when wet as there is a lot of exposure off the edge. An AWD would be ok but still dicey on the downhills."
"Stunning scenery and right next to the river. The road coming in is not for the faint of heart, but it was very doable in my minivan going slow."
5. Sage View Ranch
"Breathing mountain views, walking distance to the town and wine tasting, hanging with goats and chickens, peaceful, safe and definitely relaxing."
"Location is hard to beat."
6. The Campground at Big B’s Delicious Orchards
"Campsites are a small piece of grassy area next to a pond or on an outside loop. Portable toilets only. Traffic noise at night."
"Our only complaint was that it was quite hot (topped out near 100 degrees)."
from $25 - $170 / night
Check Availability7. North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
"Driving through Colorado in the fall there is nothing which can compare. "
"Camped one night on our road trip throughout southwestern Colorado. Campsites over look the canyon."
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Kebler Corner
"It is quiet and peaceful next to the roaring of the river. Perfectly situated between Paonia (Big B’s cider) and Kebler pass leading to Crested Butte."
"The tent spots were in a different area on the other side of the property a little away from the busier parts."
from $35 - $725 / night
Check Availability9. Bogan Flats Campground Grp S
"Every year, my family (+- 10 people) heads somewhere in Colorado to camp over Labor Day. This year we headed up to Marble, CO and stayed at the Bogan Flats campground."
"Lovely quite campground in the woods next to a river. We stayed on the side away from the river and I wish we had stayed on the river side, but it was still fantastic."
from $32 - $166 / night
Check Availability10. Lost Lake Campground
"Lost Lake Campground near Crested Butte, Colorado, is a hidden gem that combines serene alpine beauty with a peaceful camping experience."
"There are some reserve able sites near the lake, and some first come/first serve sites as well. Also dispersed camping on the way up to the campground."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 10 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 4 hrs 2 min from Boulder, CO
- 4 hrs 4 min from Farmington, NM
- 4 hrs 40 min from Colorado Springs, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Paonia, CO
397 Photos of 257 Paonia Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
The Campground at Big B’s Delicious Orchards
Double Rose RanchJ
Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park
Kebler CornerS
Throughline/Coal Creek TH (Dispersed)-Paonia RDE
Overland Reservoir (Dispersed)-Paonia RD
Paradise Campground and Rentals
Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley RdK
Lost Lake Slough
Lost Lake Campground
North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Recent Reviews near Paonia, CO
1355 Reviews of 257 Paonia Campgrounds
- Wm S.Guide
Cimarron Campground (CO) — Curecanti National Recreation Area
Cool campsite
Not very crowded easy in and out. Fresh water bathrooms were closed for renovations
- Wm S.Guide
North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Quiet campsite
Very nice campsite I enjoyed so much more than south rim, but a long drive on unsaved road
- CChrista S.
ScoutKebler Corner
Super Quiet and Clean
This was my first camping trip alone with my rescue, Buck. We stayed in West Beckwith and it was the best experience ever. Watching a family of deer get the zoomies next to Marcelina was absolutely incredible.
- Thomas R.Guide
Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground — Ridgway State Park
Good campground
Very nice campground, I had to get a full hookup site because I needed a pull through, so a little extra cost. Level concrete pads, covered picnic tables etc. I like that they have extra dumpsters and camp hosts if needed. The cost for full hookups is $41 + a park fee. The big difference between this and an RV park is the space between sites is really nice. Also my Verizon phone got one bar
- Thomas R.Guide
Black Canyon Dispersed Camping
Horrible roads, bunt down trees
Horrible rutted roads, huge areas of tree trimmings and branches lining the already narrow road. Other areas have branches hanging down No place to turn around.
- CCorinne C.Scout
Basalt Mountain Dispersed
Beautiful views - but broken glass everywhere
Was looking for a spot just for a night in my truck camper. Wanted to stay at the second site up, absolutely gorgeous views, but there was so much broken glass I was worried about my dog slicing her paws. Went back to the first site, less broken glass but still a bit. Would come back to explore more sites if I had the time and was going to be up there for a few days. Few washboard sections, nothing too terrible, just slow going. Would recommend high clearance past the first site or two, road got rockier.
- LisaTroy M.Scout
Ami's Acres Campground
Beautiful view
Just stayed at this camp ground and just loved the place. The gentleman who runs the office is super nice. The showers and bathroom are absolutely wonderful!
I was so glad to stay here because I’ve been told this place is closing sadly.
I commend the staff and owners for this place. Must be hard to let go of this!
Thanks for everything!
Nicholas A.GuideHartman Rocks Recreation Area
Great views of the city and surrounding mountains
Solid place to spend the night. There are numbers campsites that you can stay at. I recommend this over the parking lot at the base of the park.
Guide to Paonia
Camping options near Paonia, Colorado extend across a mix of public lands and managed facilities with notable destinations like Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Crawford State Park, and several BLM areas. The region includes developed campgrounds for both tent and RV camping, as well as more unique accommodations such as the cabins at Sage View Ranch and glamping options at Big B's Delicious Orchards. Both established campgrounds with amenities and dispersed sites on public lands can be found within a 30-mile radius of town, providing various levels of services and privacy.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping experiences in this area, with many campgrounds only fully operational from late spring through fall. Crawford State Park's Iron Creek Campground remains accessible year-round with electric hookups and water access, though the reservoir water levels can fluctuate significantly during drought conditions. Several campgrounds near Black Canyon of the Gunnison offer different operating seasons, with South Rim open year-round while North Rim typically closes by mid-November. Road access to dispersed sites may become difficult during wet weather or winter conditions. As one camper noted, "The lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view."
Waterfront sites at Crawford State Park receive particularly positive reviews, with campers appreciating the lake views and wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites 22 through 39 are highlighted as prime waterfront locations when reservoir levels are normal. At Sage View Ranch, visitors praise the unique accommodations and mountain scenery, with one reviewer describing it as "a very eclectic ranch" with "everything from buses turned apartments, RV parking and tent plots, tipi with a king bed." In contrast, reviews for Big B's Delicious Orchards campground are mixed, with some visitors enjoying the orchard setting and amenities like the restaurant and cider tasting, while others note issues with site spacing and muddy conditions. Several visitors mentioned the lack of shade at many sites throughout the region, suggesting preparation for sun exposure, especially during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Paonia, Colorado?
Where are the best campgrounds near Paonia, Colorado?
Several excellent campgrounds surround Paonia. Erickson Springs offers a rustic experience right on Anthracite Creek, just off Kebler Pass Road. It's a basic USFS campground with good hiking access to Dark Canyon in the Raggeds Wilderness and fishing opportunities. Another great option is Kebler Corner, situated between Paonia and Kebler Pass with the peaceful sounds of the river nearby. For those willing to venture a bit further, Redstone in White River National Forest provides quiet, tree-surrounded sites with warm showers, while Oh Be Joyful Campground near Crested Butte offers spectacular mountain views with an honor system for fees.
Is there RV camping available in Paonia?
Is there RV camping available in Paonia?
Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins (formerly Tall Texan) offers excellent RV accommodations near Paonia and is described by campers as one of the most beautiful RV parks in Colorado. For those wanting to be closer to recreational activities, The Campground at Big B's Delicious Orchards near Hotchkiss provides drive-in access with reservable sites and basic amenities. While Paonia itself has limited RV-specific camping, the surrounding area offers several options with varying levels of hookups and amenities. Most RV sites in the region fill quickly during summer months, so advance reservations are recommended.
What amenities are available at Paonia State Park for campers?
What amenities are available at Paonia State Park for campers?
Paonia State Park Campground offers basic amenities in a rustic setting. The campground is located about 15 miles from town and features vault toilets, drinking water, and fire rings at each site. The sites are situated under shrubs that provide some shade but can harbor mosquitoes, especially during wet seasons. While the park includes a reservoir, water levels can fluctuate significantly, sometimes completely drying up by late summer. Some campers experience wildlife encounters, including cattle from nearby ranches occasionally wandering through. For more amenities, Crawford State Park nearby offers more reliable water recreation and better-maintained facilities.
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